REV. Sarah Marie Bigwood
Head of Staff, Pastor
Pastor Sarah Bigwood serves as Senior Pastor at the historic downtown congregation of First Presbyterian Church in Fargo, where she preaches, teaches, and works with a gifted staff to offer meaningful worship and community outreach. She also helps guide the church in long-term planning and creative approaches to ministry in the growing Fargo-Moorhead area.
A second-career pastor, she earned her Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, after an earlier career in computer consulting. For more than 25 years, she has worked with churches to strengthen ministry with youth, young adults, and families, and has served as pastor in congregations in Golden Valley, Minnesota, and Southampton, New York.
Pastor Bigwood lives in West Fargo with her husband, Tom. They have two children, Robby and Katie, and two corgis, Deacon and Otto. The Bigwoods have extended family in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana.
A second-career pastor, she earned her Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, after an earlier career in computer consulting. For more than 25 years, she has worked with churches to strengthen ministry with youth, young adults, and families, and has served as pastor in congregations in Golden Valley, Minnesota, and Southampton, New York.
Pastor Bigwood lives in West Fargo with her husband, Tom. They have two children, Robby and Katie, and two corgis, Deacon and Otto. The Bigwoods have extended family in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana.
Rusty Bender
Director of Church Life
Rusty Bender has served as the Director of Church Life at First Presbyterian Church in Fargo since May 2024. Originally from Cooperstown, ND, he previously lived in Bismarck, where he served as a Ruling Elder at First Presbyterian Church–Bismarck. He brings a varied background in healthcare, theatre, and restaurant/office management, holds a degree from North Dakota State University, and is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity through United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Rusty is active throughout the wider church and region. He serves as Moderator of the Presbytery of the Northern Plains, chairs their Nominations Committee, and also participates in the Congregational Vitality Pod. He is a member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and will serve as the Connecting Committee Representative for the North Central Region. In the world of communication and performing arts, Rusty has served on the CSTAND board for eleven years, is the 2024–2025 recipient of their Service to the Profession Award, and has judged statewide speech and theatre activities for more than twenty-two years.
Zone 1 vice-chair, District 5NE Childhood Cancer Chair, and immediate past president of the Dakota National Forensic League Lions Club, Rusty also enjoys being connected with the Presentation Social Justice Collaborative. He loves living in downtown Fargo—just a short walk from the church—with his two cats, Percy and Piper.
Rusty is active throughout the wider church and region. He serves as Moderator of the Presbytery of the Northern Plains, chairs their Nominations Committee, and also participates in the Congregational Vitality Pod. He is a member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and will serve as the Connecting Committee Representative for the North Central Region. In the world of communication and performing arts, Rusty has served on the CSTAND board for eleven years, is the 2024–2025 recipient of their Service to the Profession Award, and has judged statewide speech and theatre activities for more than twenty-two years.
Zone 1 vice-chair, District 5NE Childhood Cancer Chair, and immediate past president of the Dakota National Forensic League Lions Club, Rusty also enjoys being connected with the Presentation Social Justice Collaborative. He loves living in downtown Fargo—just a short walk from the church—with his two cats, Percy and Piper.
jan lundgren
Business Manager
Jan Lundgren joined First Pres in 2014 as the Business Manager where she processes contributions, does the financial reporting and payroll. Previously, she spent 8 years as the part-time bookkeeper for Messiah Lutheran Church, which is also her church home. Before moving to Fargo, she was a staff accountant/payroll for a manufacturing firm in Minneapolis for over 10 years. She enjoys meeting congregants, loves her coworkers and appreciates the flexibility her position offers to attend her children’s activities.
Jan has been married for 21 years to husband, Michael. They live in North Fargo with their three children, Sophie, Natalie, and Daniel. An avid reader, you’ll usually find her with a book in hand when she’s not on a walk, attending one of her children’s events or folding countless loads of laundry.
Jan has been married for 21 years to husband, Michael. They live in North Fargo with their three children, Sophie, Natalie, and Daniel. An avid reader, you’ll usually find her with a book in hand when she’s not on a walk, attending one of her children’s events or folding countless loads of laundry.
Carrie Lawrence
Sunday School Coordinator
In 2024 Carrie Lawrence accepted the Sunday School Coordinator position for First Presbyterian Church in Fargo. She and her husband, Jack, were married here and have raised their two children, Jayci and Carsten, within this church family.
Carrie grew up in Bloomington, MN. She completed a BA degree in Spanish with a minor in Child Development at NDSU and then earned her teaching degree in English as a Second Language from MSUM. She taught at Moorhead Public schools in Special Education and English Language Learner programs, as well as Spanish Immersion and Reading Recovery. She has been a stay-at-home mom since Carsten was born and has loved every blessed minute they’ve thrown at her!
Carrie has been active in our church community with various music interests as well as all facets of children’s ministry. Carrie aspires to lead the First Pres Children’s ministry with kindness and creative energy, continuing to bring fun and engaging programming to the kids at First Pres. When not at church, Carrie enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, listening to music and keeping up with their kids and all their activities and concerts.
Carrie grew up in Bloomington, MN. She completed a BA degree in Spanish with a minor in Child Development at NDSU and then earned her teaching degree in English as a Second Language from MSUM. She taught at Moorhead Public schools in Special Education and English Language Learner programs, as well as Spanish Immersion and Reading Recovery. She has been a stay-at-home mom since Carsten was born and has loved every blessed minute they’ve thrown at her!
Carrie has been active in our church community with various music interests as well as all facets of children’s ministry. Carrie aspires to lead the First Pres Children’s ministry with kindness and creative energy, continuing to bring fun and engaging programming to the kids at First Pres. When not at church, Carrie enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, listening to music and keeping up with their kids and all their activities and concerts.
Bryan poyzer
Adult Choir Director
Bryan Poyzer is the Adult Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church of Fargo. He grew up in Amenia, North Dakota, and attended Westminster Presbyterian Church in Casselton.
Bryan will be starting his 33rd year in music education. He is currently the Program Coordinator of the Performing Arts/Communications Dept. at North Dakota State College of Science. His duties include teaching music theory, aural skills, applied lessons, and music appreciation. He also directs the NDSCS Concert Choir and Wildcat Singers.
Before coming to First Presbyterian, Bryan was the choral director at United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake MN where he and Jessica raised their four children. He holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal/instrumental music education from Valley City State University, a master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas, and a master’s degree in music education from North Dakota State University. Bryan and Jessica live in Dilworth MN.
Bryan will be starting his 33rd year in music education. He is currently the Program Coordinator of the Performing Arts/Communications Dept. at North Dakota State College of Science. His duties include teaching music theory, aural skills, applied lessons, and music appreciation. He also directs the NDSCS Concert Choir and Wildcat Singers.
Before coming to First Presbyterian, Bryan was the choral director at United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake MN where he and Jessica raised their four children. He holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal/instrumental music education from Valley City State University, a master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas, and a master’s degree in music education from North Dakota State University. Bryan and Jessica live in Dilworth MN.
Rick Fiebiger
Facilities Manager
Rick Fiebiger is the Facilities Manager at First Presbyterian Church. He has been with First Presbyterian for 20 years.
Rick works closely with the Building and Grounds Committee to ensure the church and grounds are well maintained. The historical aspects of the church are very interesting to him.
He is an avid reader and enjoys gardening on his homestead.
Rick works closely with the Building and Grounds Committee to ensure the church and grounds are well maintained. The historical aspects of the church are very interesting to him.
He is an avid reader and enjoys gardening on his homestead.
Drew Brovold
Janitor
Drew was born in Fargo, ND, where he attended West Fargo High School and graduated in 2009.
His hobbies include going to concerts and Frisbee golfing. His favorite bands are Modest Mouse and Pink Floyd.
Drew previously worked in fast food management. He is excited to learn as much as he can about the facilities and upkeep of the church.
His hobbies include going to concerts and Frisbee golfing. His favorite bands are Modest Mouse and Pink Floyd.
Drew previously worked in fast food management. He is excited to learn as much as he can about the facilities and upkeep of the church.
Casey LeMier
Communications & Administrative Assistant
Casey LeMier (they/them) was born in Fargo, North Dakota. They studied at the University of Jamestown for a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Information Technology, and started at First Presbyterian in 2022. In their free time, they enjoy snuggling with their cat, reading, and all kinds of games, including board games, puzzles, and video games.